Abbas Still Waiting for Copy of Framework Outline

Chairman Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority said, Thursday that the United States had yet to present a framework for a Middle East peace deal, as a deadline ending nine months of negotiations with Israel loomed. Speaking at a news conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron in Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem, Abbas said, "Until now, we haven't received the framework agreement we were promised." He continued, "When the framework is presented to us, we'll give our opinion on it," adding, "We have never discussed prolonging the negotiations at all, nor was it offered to us."

Cameron said, "As for the question of mistrust between Palestinian leadership and Israeli leadership... what I've seen over the last few days is serious disagreements on vital issues that will have to be settled if there ever is to be... a peace deal." He added, "There's no outcome that's possible where every Israeli is satisfied, where every Palestinian is satisfied. There has to be compromise. And compromise is difficult -- compromise takes bravery."